We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Multiple Microbiological Tests Needed for Underweight Newborns

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 03 Mar 2013
Print article
Image: The oral bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum (Photo courtesy of HealthyDent).
Image: The oral bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum (Photo courtesy of HealthyDent).
Cultures commonly used to detect bacterial infections in low birth-weight newborns with early onset sepsis may fail to detect some microorganisms.

There is a need for multiple detection methods, such as DNA genomic analyses and other independent culture technologies, to identify bacteria that routine culturing may miss.

Scientists at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, OH, USA) performed a comparative microbial analysis of paired amniotic fluid (AF) and cord blood (CB) from pregnancies complicated by preterm birth and early-onset neonatal sepsis. The biological samples from 44 women were collected from September 2004 to February 2009.

Amniotic fluid (AF) was cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma species. DNA was extracted from AF or CB serum. To identify the species amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to ensure that the PCR amplicons were indeed bacterial ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) genes rather than artifacts, the PCR products were cloned into the pCR8 vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA).

The investigators found more than 20 bacterial species not discovered using standard culturing. Some of the uncultured species appeared in both the cord blood and amniotic fluid samples. The uncultured bacteria were detected with DNA genomic analysis that had been used in a prior study that discovered the link between oral bacteria that causes still- or premature-births due to infected amniotic fluid that is supposed to be a sterile environment.

Yiping Han, PhD, the professor of Periodontics and Reproductive Biology at the Case Western, said, "Culture independent technology has broadened our scope of understanding human pathogens. DNA testing techniques were able for the first time to detect the oral bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum, Bergeyella, and Sneathia sanguinegens that brought on early neonatal sepsis and put newborns at risk of dying shortly after birth. Among these, F. nucleatum was found at the same high frequency as the well-known Escherichia coli, putting the former on the same importance scale as the latter." The study was published on February 20, 2013, in the journal Public Library of Science ONE.

Related Links:

Case Western Reserve University
Invitrogen


New
Platinum Member
Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Test
OSOM® Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Test
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
Magnetic Bead Separation Modules
MAG and HEATMAG

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new ADLM guidance will help healthcare professionals navigate respiratory virus testing in a post-COVID world (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New ADLM Guidance Provides Expert Recommendations on Clinical Testing For Respiratory Viral Infections

Respiratory tract infections, predominantly caused by viral pathogens, are a common reason for healthcare visits. Accurate and swift diagnosis of these infections is essential for optimal patient management.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The HelioLiver Dx test has met the coprimary and secondary study endpoints in the CLiMB trial (Photo courtesy of Helio Genomics)

Blood-Based Test Outperforms Ultrasound in Early Liver Cancer Detection

Patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B are at a higher risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent type of liver cancer. The American Association for the Study... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The CAPILLARYS 3 DBS devices have received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance (Photo courtesy of Sebia)

Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns

Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: For 46 years, Roche and Hitachi have collaborated to deliver innovative diagnostic solutions (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Roche and Hitachi High-Tech Extend 46-Year Partnership for Breakthroughs in Diagnostic Testing

Roche (Basel, Switzerland) and Hitachi High-Tech (Tokyo, Japan) have renewed their collaboration agreement, committing to a further 10 years of partnership. This extension brings together their long-standing... Read more
LGC Clinical Diagnostics